Aulularia, or The Concealed Treasure (259-299b)

I remember it.

But I understand in what fashion you, of your class, are wont to equivocate;

an agreement is no agreement, no agreement is an agreement, just as it pleases you.

I’ll have no misunderstanding with you. But what reason is there why we shouldn’t have the nuptials this day?

Why, by my troth, there is very good reason for them.

I’ll go, then, and prepare matters. Do you want me in any way?

That shall be done. Fare you well.

Hallo! Strobilus, follow me quickly, in all haste, to the fleshmarket.

He has gone hence. Immortal Gods, I do beseech you! How powerful is gold! I do believe, now, that he has had some intimation that I’ve got a treasure at home; he’s gaping for that; for the sake of that has he persisted in this alliance.

Where are you who have now been blabbing to all my neighbours that I’m going to give a portion to my daughter? Hallo! Staphyla, I’m calling you!

Don’t you hear? Make haste in-doors there, and wash the vessels clean. I’ve promised my daughter in marriage; to-day I shall give her to be married to Megadorus here.

May the Gods bestow their blessings on it! But, i’ faith, it cannot be; ’tis too sudden.

Hold your tongue, and be off. Take care that things are ready when I return home from the Forum, and shut the house up. I shall be here directly.

What now am I to do?

Now is ruin near at hand for us, both for myself and my master’s daughter; for her disgrace and her delivery are upon the very point of becoming known; that which even until now has been concealed and kept secret, cannot be so now. I’ll go in-doors, that what my master ordered may be done when he comes. But, by my faith, I do fear that I shall have to drink of a mixture of bitterness [*]!

After my master had bought the provisions, and hired the cooks [*] and these music- girls in the market-place, he ordered me to divide these provisions into two parts.

By my troth, but you really shan’t be dividing me [*], I tell you plainly. If you wish me to go anywhere whole, I’ll do my best.

A very pretty and modest fellow, indeed[*]. As if, when you are a conger by name, you wouldn’t like to be cut into pieces.

But, Anthrax, I said that in another sense, and not in the one which you are pretending.

Now my master’s going to be married to-day.[*]

Whose daughter is he to marry?

The daughter of this Euclio, his near neighbour here. For that reason he has ordered half of these provisions here to be presented to him—one cook, and one music-girl likewise.

That is, you take one half to him, the other half home?

’Tis just as you say.

How’s that? Couldn’t this old fellow provide from his own resources for the wedding of his daughter.

Pshaw!

What’s the matter?

What’s the matter, do you ask? A pumice stone isn’t so dry as is this old fellow.

Do you really say that it is as you affirm?

Do be judge yourself. Why, he’s for ever crying out for aid from Gods and men, that his property has gone, and that he is ruined root and branch,